CMATMODS Buttah

As easy as any OD, except that I can't seem to get a bad sound out of it.

I've searched for years for a good pedal that would give me just a bit of grind. I keep my amp totally clean because I need that sound sometimes. The Butah is it! Some pedals get close but are so sensitive if your gain is off a tiny bit it's too much or not enough. Not the Butah; it's truly a low gain OD.

Haven't had it long enough to comment, but seems to be very well made.

Haven't needed it, but Chad is very responsive.

I play Telecasters only. This pedal is great for that "amp at the edge of OD sound". I use it for Stones, Blues, driving country, etc. I push this a bit with a Jauernig Luxury Drive. I also use a Jauernig Gristle King for the next level of OD. Great combination. I was using a Keeley modded BD2. This is a step up.

Very easy to use. No problem to dial in a VERY sweet sound in seconds. You don't need a manual, so it doesn't come with one (savin' trees man). Layout is pretty standard for an overdrive - gain, tone, volume, and a shiny LED. Runs on a 9v adapter, battery, or daisy chain. Mine is a hot pink color of sorts, which will come in handy if it ever falls overboard and I need to dive for it in 20 feet of water. I kinda dig the funky-colored pedals, but I know some guys out there will swear that the color of your pedals affects tone. Metalheads, the Butah won't cut it alone, but you should check out the CMATMODS Brownie.

This pedal brings home the tone! I've been using it with my Bedrock BC-50, Mesa Boogie Heartbreaker, and custom low-power Twin clone. I've had a chance to run it with my Tele and Strat (both with American Vintage pickups) and my stock '92 Les Paul Standard. All 3 sound AWESOME. The Butah is one of those pedals that makes you want to play all day (girlfriends and wives beware). It works really well with other pedals, and if you need more gain, just put it alongside another gain pedal or a compressor. It sounds great with either the gain or clean channels of 2 channel amps. The pedal is almost zero noise, and is completely transparent, allowing for a nice clean boost as well. It really lets the sound of your guitar and hands shine through the amp. Not many pedals can do that well, and this one really lets the chime and ring of each note shine through. It has a really smooth gain (like Butah), and you can actually get useable tones from the full range of all 3 knobs!

Chad's stuff is built to last. He stands behind his work. I wouldn't give a second thought to needing a backup. If you break this pedal, you really need to take it easy on the Kurt Cobain leaps and stop kicking your gear off the stage.

Chad is a friendly guy, he'll answer your questions and put your pedal committment fears to rest. Go ahead. Send him an email, and you'll hear back in about a day or so. Nothing beats talking to the guy who actually makes the stuff. Go to his website, read about the pedals and listen to the sound clips. You'll get a pretty decent idea of what they sound like, unlike so many other websites.

I really have to emphasize that I'm not throwing 10's around without much consideration. I just can't fault the Butah on anything. I've been a player for the last 24 years, part of those years I was a semi-pro touring and recording musician. I've owned hundreds of pedals and have seen some amazing stuff and some utter garbage. If you're on the fence about this purchase, email Chad, ask the same scared nerdy questions we all ask, and then spend the money. I did, and now I just bought the Brownie and the SignaComp Drive. I can't see how anyone could be disappointed in this pedal - especially for the cost. I could have spent twice the money on other brands without getting anything more - and in many cases, much less.

Three knobs.
Gain, tone and level.
Dirt simple to get going.
No manual, but really, why would you need one?

I'm usiing PRSs, Fenders and Washburns.Hardly any noise and therefore can be stupidly loud before any buzz-even on maximum gain. Superb.This pedal is a low to medium overdrive. It sounds totally natural and nuetral.
My trusty Tech21 trademark 60 2x12 keeps me company these days.
My favourite artists are Carlos Santana and SRV.
The Buttah overdrive is supreme at becoming the convincing overdrive of whatever amp it's put in front of.

Built like a brick out house.

Chad is a very patient man. He's the kind of person I like to do business with and if you inquire after his products, he'll help instead of hinder.

I've been playing for over 30 years. My work is well known both in Europe and the United States.
My sound is similar to Carlos Santana, but instead of the Zendrive-type Dumble accent he goes for, my own tone is fat but more frequency. The Buttah somehow captures all the response I need to articulate what I'm trying to say in a melody.
Also, this pedal cleans up to reveal juicy rhythm textures.
I used to own the Zendrive, but the Buttah is clearer, more touch sensitive and toneful to my ears.

Three knobs: Level, Drive and Tone. Similar to most overdrive pedals. The drive can be subtle or combined with enough of the level knob to produce a nice creamy overdrive. This pedal is not high gain. If you are a metal player read no further. If you are a classic rock or blues player, read on.

I???m going to sound like a broken record here but like the Deeelay and Ross Comp Clone pedals there is not much to say here other than Chad Matthews has nailed the tone within the Buttah (pronounced like Butter) Like the name implies, that???s exactly what you get warm, thick and creamy tone. I run the tone knob at about halfway with my setup (see gear description below). The tone is warm and full like an analog pedal, although it is not sold as an analog pedal. I???m not sure what more I can add other than this is a great pedal. For the money its right in there with stock overdrive pedals that do not have the same mojo of this low gain pedal. A little trick I???ve tried to give this pedal a little boost for solos is using the Fulltone Fat Boost. It just amplifies the Buttah and the tone knob can be dialed in to add more low or high frequencies. If you want some more growl and grit to your tone turn the Drive knob up on the Fat Boost.

Here is a link to the website for soundclips and info. http://www.cmatmods.com/EFFECTS/EFFECTS.htm#Buttah

My setup can run from extensive to basic depending on the range of music I like to play. I'm partial to classic rock, blues and contemporary Christian music. I play either a 1976 Les Paul standard or a 1992 Fender Strat with Fralin Blues Specials pickups. My amps are a THD BiValve or a Peavey Classic 50/410 that has been upgraded with some Weber alnico speakers. My old standby is a 1974 Peavey Vintage Twin Reverb that is all original except for upgraded Weber alnico speakers. The THD is played into a old school Silvertone 2x12 cabinet with Celestion Alnico Blues. In the tube department I'm a big fan of NOS or OS tubes. The new Chinese or Russian offerings just don't have the same mojo. On the pedalboard the chain looks like this: Boss NS-2>Boss tuner>CMATMODS Ross Clone Compressor>Fulltone FatBoost>CMATMODS Buttah>Menatone Red Snapper OD>Menatone Blue Collar OD>Boss EQ>Lil Alligator volume>Boss CE-2 Chorus>JD Lauering Tremolo>CMATMODS Deeelay. Most of the time I running compression, some form of overdrive and delay.

Not sure. Have had the pedal too short a period of time. Based on other user reviews, should be okay.

Chad is the best. Nice guy doing good things. Great communication, promptly responds to email. Even takes an interest in his customers.

I was not looking to add another overdrive pedal to my pedal board but after buying the Deeelay and Ross Comp Clone I knew I would like what Chad could do with a low gain overdrive pedal. Again, if you want to spend your money on one of the big name boutique pedals that is your prerogative. I decided to buy a quality product from a great producer. I think highly enough of Chad???s work that I believe he will be one to watch in the future. His pedals are that good. When you get over sticker shock from some of the mass produced, overpriced and in my opinion overhyped pedals, take a serious look at the Buttah. I???m glad I did. The online sound samples are helpful to get a nice taste of the pedals capabilities. I found it hard to believe this was the first review for this pedal as the database did not pick up the name.

I have been playing for about 32 years and have had the opportunity to try an number of pedals but this one will be my last, it???s that good. Why keep searching when you???ve found your nirvana? If lost or stolen I would buy another in a heartbeat. One last note about the cosmetics of the pedal. My pedal was a bright metallic copper color. Chad does not do fancy or eye-catching text or decals on the pedal. He just writes with a black sharpie below each knob its function. I went a step further and had some fun making a logo and adding text with white decal paper. It turned out pretty nice. The paper and supplies will run you under $10. You may want to do the same. Anyway seriously give this pedal a listen at the website and buy another of Chad???s pedals instead of giving it away for some boutique pedal manufacturer. You will be glad that you did. I know I am.